This electronic mail list was initiated in 1995 by the Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center so that patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and their caregivers could communicate with each other throughout the world. The electronic mail list is open to patients, caregivers, and others who are interested in MSA. Through use of the electronic "party line", anyone can ask a question, answer a question, post information on medication and treatments, share the good and the bad times, etc. A person with a computer and access to email can join the list by subscribing or by having a friend or relative subscribe and relay messages to the list.

In August 2000, the list moved from the host Vanderbilt server toeGroups where some new and improved features are available including a webpage which allows access to archived messages and links toinformation on Multiple System Atrophy.

See http://www.egroups.com/group/shydrager

To subscribe to the NEW mailing list send an email to:

shydrager-subscribe@egroups.com

By default you will be subscribed to the regular email option. If you find this generates too many emails, our new list location offers you two alternative ways you can cut down on the number of messages you receive to your inbox:

1. Switch to WEB ONLY/NO MAIL access - This means that you will receive no emails at all to your inbox. You can still go to the website however and view all the messages whenever you choose, reply to them from the web and search for a particular word or phrase in the archives. There is alsoan extensive list on LINKS to shydrager/MSA informationthat you can view from the website.

To turn off mail delivery to your inbox:

1. send an email to shydrager-subscribe@egroups.com2. send another email to shydrager-nomail@egroups.com

To view mail at the website(you can do this even ifyou have not switched to the nomail option):

1. Go to http://www.egroups.com/group/shydrager2. Click on the words "Sign In" in the top right of the screen3. Enter your email address and password 4. Click on "Messages" on the left of the screen5. To view the extensive list of LINKS to Shydragerinformation click on "Links" on the left of the screen.

Don't know your PASSWORD?

1. If you don't know your password go here:http://www.egroups.com/remind and request that it be sent to you.2. To change your password to something you can remember go here:http://www.egroups.com/myprofile

2. Switch to the DIGEST delivery option - You'll only receive a couple emails per day and each one will contain a bundle of about 20 or 25 individual messages. You can skim them quickly and cut and paste to reply to the ones that interest you.

To switch to DIGEST mode: a. send an email to shydrager-subscribe@egroups.comb. send another email to shydrager-digest@egroups.com

We hope one of these two options will enable you to stay connected with the ShyDrager (MSA) support community here on eGroups.